Hadith

Hajj (Pilgrimage) and its Importance

The Ebadah of Hajj is one of the five basic pillars of Islam including Declaration, Salah and Fasting. It is obligatory on every able Muslim at least one time in whole life. The ability of Hajj includes: having sound physical health and economic means to bear expenses of journey. During Hajj, Muslims show their ultimate submission to Allah through solidarity and sacrifice. Muslims from all over the world gather at holy Ka’ba in Saudi Arabia, show their best performance for doing Hajj in Sunnah way and with pure intentions.

Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah happens in Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. The special state of pilgrims in which they have to perform Hajj is known as ‘Ihram’ i.e. they abstain from certain things and wear a dress of two unstitched white sheets.

Without performing hajj, Muslims cannot fulfil commitment towards their deen. It is must on a Muslims to meet two conditions for performing obligation of Hajj: 1. Sincerity for Allah (correct intention) 2. Following Sunnah of RasulUllah (s.a.w) in each step of Hajj.

If anyone perform Hajj but it is not in the Sunnah way, obligation is nullified.

Reward of performing Hajj

It was narrated in al-Saheehayn that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not utter obscenities or commit sin, will come back as on the day when his mother bore him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1521; Muslim, 1350.

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “From one ‘Umrah to the next is an expiation for whatever (sins) came between them, and for an accepted Hajj there is no reward but Paradise.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1773; Muslim, 1349.

When Hajj is obligatory on a person?

Hajj is obligatory only on Muslims because acts of worship performed by any disbeliever are not valid.

Adult and sound mind: Both these things are must for performing Hajj obligation. As RasulUllah(s.a.w) said: “The pen is lifted from three [and does not record their deeds]: from one who is sleeping, until he wakes up; from a child until he reaches puberty, and from one who is insane until he comes to his senses.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4403; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in SaheehAbiDawood. If parents take their child to Hajj, it will be still valid and they are rewarded for that.

Free and able: Hajj is not obligatory on any slave because he has no free will. Though it is not applicable in this era because now tradition of slaves is almost finished but it can be applied to women who are dependent on their guardian for money and companionship to go for Hajj. As far as ability is concerned, it includes sound financial and physical condition which is required for performing Hajj.

Moreover, if a person is under debt and he has less amount of money in which he can either go for Hajj or give debt, he should pay his debt first.